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In Depth Tour Of Vietnam & Cambodia

Take an in-depth journey across Vietnam visiting ancient colonial towns and experiencing traditional river life along the waterways. We follow part of the Ho Chi Minh Trail through the beautiful Central Highlands - we trek, raft, ride elephants and visit tribal villages. We also sea kayak in Halong Bay and cruise among floating markets on the Mekong Delta.

Tour Highlights

Hanoi - Wander through the bustling narrow streets of the Old Quarter lined with shop-houses

Halong Bay - Traditional junk boat cruise through one of the most breathtaking limestone landscapes in South East Asia

Hoi An - Charming ancient merchant's town on the banks of the Thu Bon River

Kon Tum - Walk through cassava and sugar plantations to a Bahnar tribal village in the Central Highlands

Itinerary

1

Join tour in Hanoi

Arrive Hanoi and check-in at the hotel. Vietnam's bustling capital is architecturally styled like a French provincial town, with tree-lined boulevards and low-rise buildings. Hanoi is a wonderfully nostalgic city to explore and this afternoon we have some free time to do so. You may choose to take a walk around the shores of Hoan Kiem Lake.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
None

2

Discover the sights of Hanoi including the Old Quarter

This morning we make a tour of the main sights of Hanoi. Among the interesting sights are the charming One-Pillar Pagoda and the Presidential Palace, a very fine example of French colonial architecture. Ho Chi Minh himself, a spartan-living and scholarly man, chose not to live in the Presidential Palace; he preferred instead a simple teak 2-storied stilt-house specially built for him in the grounds. In the afternoon we visit the Old Quarter of Hanoi. The streets are named after various crafts or specialities: Paper Street, Silk Street, Basket Street etc. The shops themselves have very narrow frontages but are actually quite deep; they are known locally as 'tube' shops.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

3

Free time in Hanoi, drive to Halong Bay; overnight on boat

This morning we drive out towards the magnificent Halong Bay in the Gulf of Tonkin. Thousands of jagged limestone islands rise out of the jade green waters like the hairy scales of a submerged dragon. In fact Halong means 'where the dragon descends to the sea' as legend tells that the rugged seascape was created by the pounding tail of a dragon as he ran from the mountains into the sea, carving islands in his wake. We enjoy the romantic scenery while cruising amongst the islands. We'll have the chance to stop at a grotto beneath towering cliffs and perhaps pull into a beach where you will have time to swim, relax or kayak (optional). It is also interesting to see the curious assortment of boats, junks and wooden sampans, their sails hoisted, gliding through Halong Bay. We enjoy an included seafood lunch on board the boat. In the evening we'll transfer to our overnight boat. Accommodation will be in twin cabins, bedding and mattresses provided.

Overnight: Standard BoatSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

4

We'll have the chance to stop at an island or Three Peaches beach under towering cliffs and fringed with thick jungle. You will have the opportunity to sea kayak through stunning limestone scenery - we carry our own kayaks and lifejackets and instruction is provided (this activity is optional, but at no extra expense). Late in the afternoon we visit Cua Van floating fishing village to experience some local life of the people in this part of the bay. Again in the evening we'll transfer to our overnight boat.

Overnight: Standard BoatSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

5

Drive to Hanoi; sleeper train to Hue

This morning we board local rowing boats cruising through Bai Tu Long Bay. Whilst enjoying our brunch on the boat we see Bai Tho Mountain and Ha Long market. During our cruise we sail to the beautiful caves of Hang Luon. We then return to Hanoi where we have day rooms before boarding the overnight sleeper train for the journey to Hué - bedding provided.

Overnight: Basic Overnight Train

Included Meals:
Breakfast

6

Arrive in Hue; boat along Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda

We arrive in Hué, one of the great cultural and religious centres of Vietnam, a quietly impressive place and a major highlight of our trip. The Perfume River divides the city in two and it has been the inspiration for poets and painters for many centuries. In the afternoon we take a trip by boat on the Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda. This lovely monastery is the oldest in Hué.

Overnight: Standard HotelSwimming Pool AvailableSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
None

7

In Hue, visit the Imperial Citadel; free afternoon

To appreciate Hue's fascinating history we'll tour the Old Citadel in the morning. The citadel/palace built by the Nguyen dynasty (early 1800's to 1945) has formal moats and impressive ramparts and was an exact copy of the Forbidden City in Beijing. Although most of the Inner City was destroyed during the Tet Offensive (1968), the vast outer walls and the West Wing remain an eloquent reminder of the palace's former glory. The afternoon is free to wander at your own pace. You may choose to hire a bike or wander the back streets and lively markets (optional).

Overnight: Standard HotelSwimming Pool AvailableSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

8

Scenic drive via Danang to Hoi An

This morning we enjoy a scenic drive across the spectacular Col des Nuages (the pass of Ocean Clouds) to Danang, once the centre of the important Kingdom of Champa (2nd century AD - 1720). We visit the Cham Museum to see the extraordinary Cham sculptures. Not far from Hoi An we find Marble Mountains which is dotted with Buddhist pagodas and shrines, once a haven for the Vietcong troops and the scene of many battles. We will also stop at China Beach. Later we drive on to the historic merchant town of Hoi An.

Overnight: Standard HotelSwimming Pool AvailableSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

9

From Hoi An, visit ancient My Son; free afternoon in Hoi An

The Portuguese arrived here in the 16th century and by the 18th century it had become one of the busiest international trading ports of South-East Asia. Hoi An still retains its medieval charm with old buildings and colourful markets. During our stay here we include an excursion to My Son. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, My Son is a striking complex of tower temples located in a secluded valley. The rest of our time is left free for personal exploration.

Overnight: Standard HotelSwimming Pool AvailableSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

10

Free day to explore Hoi An; optional visit to My Lai

Bicycles here are inexpensive and a great way to get out into the surrounding countryside; or perhaps take a trip to the nearby beaches. The town is also renowned for its many craft and tailors' shops. You may also wish to take an optional excursion to Quang Ngai, the site of the My Lai Massacre Memorial. The massacre was a significant turning point in the Vietnam War and the horrific story is told through a photo presentation - an emotional experience.

Overnight: Standard HotelSwimming Pool AvailableSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

11

Drive through mountains to Kon Tum in Central Highlands

Our journey takes us inland through the mountains of the Central Highlands to the market town of Kon Tum. It is a long day of travel but the stunning scenery and opportunity to see this rural area more than make up for it.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

12

In Kon Tum, walk through tribal villages

On our second day here we walk out to Kon Ko Tu, one of the many Bahnar tribal villages in the surrounding area (approx 5 hours walking, graded easy to moderate). We walk through cassava and sugar plantations and pass several stilted villages en route. After lunch there is an opportunity to float back to the village on local dugout canoes. In the evening we can visit the Village Rong or communal house, which is the most important building in the village - not only is it used for festivals and village meetings, but it acts as the court where people are tried for tribal offences.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

13

Drive to Western Highlands; take boat on Lake Lak

We drive south today through the Central Highlands, to Buon Me Thuot, Dak Lak Province's administrative centre and the Western Highlands' unofficial capital. Although a nondescript town, there are many minority Ede villages in this region, and we head south to Lake Lak to spend a night in a bungalow near the shores of the lake. During our time here we will take an elephant ride to a nearby village and a relaxed boat (pirogue) excursion on Lake Lak. There is also time for some personal exploration of the area.

Overnight: Standard LodgeSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Dinner

14

Drive to Nha Trang

Our drive today sees us descending to the coastal plains as we make our way to the fishing town and beach resort of Nha Trang. Some of the most impressive Cham towers can be seen on the outskirts of the town on our arrival.

Overnight: Standard HotelSwimming Pool AvailableSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

15

In Nha Trang, boat cruise on Ninh Van Bay

Today we enjoy this seaside town, famed for its clear warm water, delicious seafood and white sand beach. We plan a boat trip to some of the outlying islands to swim and relax (dependent on local weather conditions).

Overnight: Standard HotelSwimming Pool AvailableSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

16

Fly to Ho Chi Minh City; explore Old Saigon; free afternoon

Today we fly to Ho Chi Minh City where we have a walking tour of the city's central sights including the National Assembly, Hotel de Ville, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Independence Palace and the War Crimes Museum. The afternoon is free for you to walk around this charming city.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

17

Drive to Mekong Delta; cruise Mekong River; overnight on boat

This morning we drive to Can Duoc, where we board our specially chartered river boat. Travelling along the backwaters by boat is by far the best way to see the delta, passing villages of stilted houses, abundant rice fields and a variety of cottage industries as we go. We travel down the Mekong River to Cho Gao, where we disembark for a walk around the local market. We then continue to Thoi Son Island where we'll meet the friendly locals and take a sampan ride through palm-shaded creeks. Back on our boat, we'll cruise to Cai Be, where we moor up for the night. Our accommodation is simple dormitory-style bunks on board the boat.

Overnight: Basic Boat

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

18

In Mekong Delta, option to visit early morning floating market; overnight on boat

It is worth rising early to see the superb floating market at Cai Be. As it links the various towns and provinces, Cai Be is a very social and colourful place with the vendors advertising their wares on long poles. We spend some time paddling through the market and enjoying the friendliness of the locals before continuing on our boat journey. We stop off several times today to visit rural islands and some of the many family businesses along the canals. We then continue down the river to Long Xuyen Sadec, where we visit the Quach Temple and the colourful local market. We continue through the Lap Vo Canal to Long Xuyen.

Overnight: Basic Boat

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

19

Return to Ho Chi Minh City

This morning we bid farewell to our boat crew and re-join our vehicle and make the long journey back to Ho Chi Minh City, where we have the further chance to enjoy this bustling city.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

20

From Ho Chi Minh City, visit Cu Chi Tunnels, then drive to Phnom Penh

This morning we take a short drive out of the city to the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels, which formed an incredible underground command base for 10,000 Viet Cong troops and were a major part of the 1968 Tet Offensive. The site is a fascinating insight into the resourcefulness of the Vietnamese. There is the opportunity to crawl through a small specially adapted section of the tunnels should you wish to sample the claustrophobic conditions the Viet Cong lived in. Afterwards we bid farewell to our tour leader who continues back to Ho Chi Minh City while you continue by road into Cambodia. Border formalities take place at Moc Bai (Vietnam) and Bavet (Cambodia) crossing point. Our final destination is Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

21

Discover the sights of Phnom Penh; free afternoon

Phnom Penh took over from Angkor as Cambodia's capital city in the 1440s. It is now a lively city with many French colonial buildings and plenty to see. Accompanied by a local guide we visit the National Museum, a treasure trove of beautifully preserved carvings and lintels rescued from Angkor; the emotive Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, formerly a high school that became the Khmer Rouge's main torture and interrogation centre; and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek - the memorial stupa is a glass tower filled with human skulls - a gruesome reminder of the scale of Pol Pot's atrocities. This afternoon we visit the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda as well as the temple of Wat Phnom before having some free time in the city.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

22

Free day in Phnom Penh; optional visit to Silk Island

Today is free allowing you the opportunity to explore the city or its surrounds further. Optional excursions close to the city include a trip to Silk Island, Chiso Mountain or the abandoned Royal City of Oudong. Each of these excursions are half a day in duration and may be combined, your tour leader will discuss in more detail. Silk Island or Koh Dach is reached by a short boat journey along the Mekong where the majority of villagers on the island earn a living through producing handicrafts. It is a great opportunity to learn more about traditional ways of life and interact with locals as you learn about silk weaving, woodcarving, pottery, painting, and jewellery making. Chiso Mountain (380m), located in Sia village about 62 km south of Phnom Penh, is topped by the ruins of an 11th century Khmer Brahmanic Temple with fine views of the surrounding paddy fields. Oudong is about an hour north of the capital and offers the opportunity to explore attractive historic temples and stupas.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

23

Drive to Siem Reap; cruise on Tonle Sap Lake

This morning we make an early start for our drive to Siem Reap, stopping somewhere for lunch on the way. Later in the day we journey to nearby Tonle Sap Lake where we board our charter boat for a leisurely cruise through the fascinating floating village of Chong Kneas, where we see stilt houses, floating markets and an array of boats.

Overnight: Standard HotelSwimming Pool AvailableSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

24

From Siem Reap, explore Angkor temples with sunset

Our exact programme over the next three days may change slightly at our local guide's discretion (to avoid crowds, coincide with sunsets, etc.). Angkor was actually a series of cities, built between the 9th and the 13th centuries by the Khmer kings, with a population of 750,000 in its heyday. The Angkor complex is spread out over some 155 square kilometres, scattered with magnificent carved stone temples, elegant sculptures and incredible bas reliefs. We visit the Rolous group, which are some of the earliest temples. In the afternoon we visit the temples of Banteay Srei, a small but beautiful temples with exquisite carvings. We end the day at East Mebon, with a visit to Pre Rup temple for sunset.

Overnight: Standard HotelSwimming Pool AvailableSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

25

From Siem Reap, explore Angkor Thom

We continue our exploration with a visit to the temples of King Jayavarman Vll, reputedly Angkor's greatest king. The fortified city of Angkor Thom, which he built at the end of the 12th century is enclosed by a square wall with five monumental gates decorated with stone elephant trunks. Originally, crocodiles inhabited the moat and huge statues of 54 different gods protected each gate. The city contains another of Angkor's true gems - The Bayon. Although not as impressive as Angkor Wat from a distance, The Bayon is nevertheless incredible for its maze of corridors, gothic style towers and magical central temples. We'll explore The Terrace of the Elephants and the Leper King, the Baphuon and Phimeanakas, and some of the surrounding temples such as Preah Khan.

Overnight: Standard HotelSwimming Pool AvailableSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
None

26

From Siem Reap, explore Ta Prohm and Angkor Wat

On our final day we make a visit to the 2nd Angkor capital that includes the temples of Prasat Kravan, Banteay Kdei and Takeo. A highlight for many is a visit to the atmospheric temple of Ta Prohm, where the film Tomb Raider was filmed, lying half consumed by the jungle. We leave the best known and most breathtaking of all the sights, Angkor Wat, to the end - where we stay until the sun sets on the last night of our adventure.

Overnight: Standard HotelSwimming Pool AvailableSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

27

Tour ends in Siem Reap

Tour ends after breakfast. If you have time you may choose to browse the old market for some last minute bargains, or enjoy afternoon tea at The Foreign Correspondent's Club.

Tour notes

Each departure date has it's own dedicated tour note, detailing all you need to know about that tour. Whether you've already booked, or weighing up your options, please choose carefully the relevant itinerary for you.

We have the following different versions of the Vietnam Explorer + Cambodia Extension tour available at present.